Researchers Report Neublastin Virtually Restores Complete Long Term Sensory Motor Function In Preclinical Studies
Biogen Idec (Nasdaq: BIIB), in collaboration with scientists at the University of Arizona and Tufts University reported in the April issue of the journal Nature Neuroscience that in preclinical studies, injections of the protein neublastin promoted the regeneration of damaged sensory nerve cells and produced virtually complete, long-term restoration of sensory and motor function.

Biotech Busine$$ Daily (APPY, LIFC, KCI, MNOV, MCU)
24/7 Wall St. - New York,NY,USA
MediciNova (NASDAQ: MNOV) released clinical results on two-year Phase II study of MN-166 on multiple sclerosis. The study showed positive results however ...
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MediciNova Reports Positive Results For MN -166 In Two Year Phase ...
RTT News - Williamsville,NY,USA
The company reported a significantly less sustained disability progression in patients who received MN-166 at either 30 mg or 60 mg per day for 24 months ...
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Market Report -- In Play (WIRES)
MSN Money - USA
MediciNova (MNOV) announced "positive" clinical findings from the completed two-year Phase II clinical trial of orally administered MN-166 for the treatment ...
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MediciNova Reports Positive Clinical Findings From 2-Yr Phase II ...
RTT News - Williamsville,NY,USA
The company's study illustrated that MN-166 was well tolerated at all doses over the 24 months of this clinical trial. MediciNova said that it acquired an ...
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NEWS | SAN DIEGO
San Diego Daily Transcript (subscription) - San Diego,CA,USA
MediciNova Inc. announced positive clinical findings from the completed two-year phase 2 clinical trial of MN-166 for multiple sclerosis, and Jack in the ...
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Author : Partnership for Prescription Assistance
Earthtimes - London,UK
The PPA is represented by Emmy-winning syndicated television talk show host Montel Williams, named PPA's national spokesman in January 2006. ...
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ADRs in Focus: Elan Shares Rise
Houston Chronicle - United States
He added that Tysabri will become a significant treatment for multiple sclerosis, and sales will be better than expected. He also thinks bapineuzumab could ...
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Quick reminder: fill-in the ‘How to Develop an MS Centre’ Survey, if you haven’t already.

Whether you already visit an MS centre, or would like one in your area, whether you’re a healthcare professional, a person with MS, or a friend, family member or a carer – your opinions matter to us, and will help us to create the most useful, informative booklet possible.

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Vitamin D: A Candidate for the Environmental Effect in Multiple Sclerosis - Observations from Norway.

The authors use Norway as an example to discuss the potential role of vitamin D, and its interaction with sun exposure, diet and latitude, in influencing the risk of developing MS.

authors: Kampman MT, Brustad M

source: Neuroepidemiology. 2008 Apr 2;30(3):140-146

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Regional hippocampal atrophy in multiple sclerosis

The authors used strong field MRI to study the hippocampus, which is a deep region of the brain important for memory, in people with relapsing and progressive types of MS. They found that its volume was reduced in MS, and that this correlated with memory problems.

authors: Sicotte NL, Kern KC, Giesser BS, Arshanapalli A, Schultz A, Montag M, Wang H, Bookheimer SY.

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Increased numbers of circulating hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells are chronically maintained in patients treated with the CD49d blocking antibody natalizumab

The authors looked at the effects of natalizumab, a recently introduced treatment for aggressive relapsing-remitting MS, on the levels of immature cells that eventually develop into blood cells. They found high levels of these cells circulating after the first dose of natalizumab, which were maintained during treatment. The clinical relevance of this is still unclear.

authors: Bonig H, Wundes A, Chang KH, Lucas S, Papayannopoulou T.

source: Blood. 2008 Apr 1;111(7):3439-41. Epub 2008 Jan 14.

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In vivo MR imaging of hippocampal lesions in multiple sclerosis

The authors used an advanced MRI sequence to demonstrate MS lesions in the hippocampus, a deep grey matter region involved in memory.

authors: Roosendaal SD, Moraal B, Vrenken H, Castelijns JA, Pouwels PJ, Barkhof F, Geurts JJ.

source: J Magn Reson Imaging. 2008 Apr;27(4):726-31.

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Quick reminder: fill-in the ‘How to Develop an MS Centre’ Survey, if you haven’t already.

Whether you already visit an MS centre, or would like one in your area, whether you’re a healthcare professional, a person with MS, or a friend, family member or a carer – your opinions matter to us, and will help us to create the most useful, informative booklet possible.

read more

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Multiple Sclerosis-Like Disease In Mice Prevented By Caffeine
Medical News Today Tue, 08 Apr 2008 5:19 AM PDT
Mice given caffeine equivalent to a human drinking six to eight cups of coffee a day were protected from developing experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the animal model for the human disease Multiple Sclerosis (MS), according to researchers at Cornell University.

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Caffeine could protect against multiple sclerosis
New Kerala Tue, 08 Apr 2008 5:39 AM PDT
Washington, Apr 8 : Caffeine, equivalent to six to eight cups of coffee consumed by a human in a day, could possibly help protect people against multiple sclerosis (MS); a study on mice has shown.
Food as Medicine?
HealthDay via Yahoo! News Tue, 08 Apr 2008 9:02 AM PDT
TUESDAY, April 8 (HealthDay News) -- Caffeine, green tea and tart cherries may guard against multiple sclerosis, cancer and cardiovascular troubles, respectively, new research suggests.
GW Pharma plunges as cannabis drug trial disappoints
Reuters via Yahoo! News Tue, 08 Apr 2008 3:34 AM PDT
Britain's GW Pharmaceuticals said its pioneering cannabis-based medicine failed to show significant improvement in a final stage trial to treat neuropathic pain in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.

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GW cannabis drug misses statistical significance
Reuters via Yahoo! News Tue, 08 Apr 2008 1:53 AM PDT
Britain's GW Pharmaceuticals said on Tuesday its pioneering cannabis-based medicine had failed to reach statistical significance in a final stage trial to treat neuropathic pain in multiple sclerosis patients.
Health briefs
The Providence Journal Mon, 07 Apr 2008 8:48 PM PDT
The Multiple Sclerosis 25 Quick Ride bicycle ride, in conjunction with Walk Multiple Sclerosis, will be held Sunday, beginning and ending at Narragansett Pier School.

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In brief: Health updates (4/8/08)
Anchorage Daily News Tue, 08 Apr 2008 0:32 AM PDT
Chair Exercise Class, 1-2 p.m. today and Thursday, Alaska MS Office, 3340 Providence Drive, Suite 552. A physical therapist will emphasize strengthening, stretching and neuromuscular exercises with a resistance band. Sponsored by Alaska Multiple Sclerosis Center. $15. (929-2567, www.alaskamscenter.org)

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Slovakia: age restriction lifted for Interferon prescription

A wide-ranging campaign concerning the age limit for Interferon prescriptions run by The Association of Young People with MS and assisted by Dr. Prochazkova, has resulted in the removal of the age restriction of 45.

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Stem Cell Research Leads To Potential New Therapy For Rare Blood ...
Science Daily (press release) - USA
ScienceDaily (Apr. 7, 2008) — A unique partnership between industry and academia has led to human clinical trials of a new drug for a rare class of blood ...
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Alzheimer's prediction helps Elan jump 6pc
Irish Independent - Dublin,Ireland
Elan is probably more famous for its multiple sclerosis treatment Tysabri which is also used to treat Crohn's disease. Shares in Elan tumbled back in ...
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